The Baptism of the Lord
This feast is still about Christmas and about Epiphany. It is another experience of recognising the Divine in Humanity. This Jesus, well known among his friends and relatives, comes to be baptised. In that baptism, something happens and again he is recognised - not by all, but by many - as the Son of God in a special way. He is seen to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah: Here is my servant! This is the servant who reconciles people to God. This is a servant who opens the eyes of the blind and brings prisoners out of the prisons. This servant becomes a contract between God and His people.
The Gospel tells of the actual baptism of Jesus. Jesus is baptised by John in the Jordan. So much of early Christian writing is filled with meditation on this strange event: The one who created all is now baptised; the one who created the waters is now baptised in the water; the one who is baptised makes the water holy; and so on.
How can God be baptised? How can Jesus be truly human and truly God? Something happens at the baptism that is a Divine Event recognised by some but apparently not by all.
The feast of the Baptism of Jesus is about our baptism. Those of us who follow Christ receive baptism, but baptism into Christ. Christ is baptised in water and we are baptised in water to symbolize our death to ourselves and our life in Christ. Always baptism is about death for the sake of life. Our personal baptism challenges us throughout our lives to continue to die to all that is not divine so that we may live more fully.
Those Recently Baptised
On this Sunday at the 10.30am Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church we welcome in a special way those who were baptised in our parish during 2014 along with their families and friends. During the Mass we will give thanks for those who have been received into the Christian Community and once again ask God to bless all involved in handing on the Catholic Faith.
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Kitty McEvoy, Larchfield. Larry Carroll, Danesfort. Tony Bergin, Freshford. Ellen Noonan, Limerick. John White, Co. Meath.
Months Mind: Seamus Loughman (Sun 10.30).
Anniversaries: Anastatia & Billy Hickey (Sat 6.15). Teresa Holden (Sat 7.00). Mary Reynolds (Sun 9.30). Beattie O’Connell (Sun 10.00). Sean O’Dwyer (Sun 11.00). Michael Phelan & Bridget Lannon (Sun 12.00). Bridget & Christopher Lawlor (Sun 12.30). Mary Reynolds (Tue 10.30). Bridget Marchetti (Wed 10.30). Paddy & Kitty Comerford (Thurs 10.30). Jack, Peg & Breda Molloy (Fri 10.30). Annie O’Shea. Mary McHugh. Agnes & Robert Brannigan. Pauline Hogan. Johnny Brennan. Denis Guilfoyle. Christina Leahy. Christine & Rose Leahy. Mary Feehan. Patrick, Delia & Margaret Taylor. Con & Bridget Carroll. Margaret Knox. Frank O’Shea. John Lanigan. Mick Kelly. Bernie Kelly. Christopher & Mary Ryan. Patrick Byrne.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Anna Campion (Sat 6.15). Albert & Bridget Downes (Sun 7.00). Michael Drennan (Sun 9.30). Maura Nolan (Sun 10.00). Jack Comerford (Sun 10.30). Maureen O’Shea (Sun 11.00). Teresa & Edward Dullard (Sun 12.00). Oliver Mannion (Sun 12.30).
Join us for a Cuppa
Join us for a cuppa after 10.30am Mass on Tuesday. Members of the congregation and visitors are invited to come to the Parish Centre for a cuppa and a chat.
Blessed Edmund Rice
The monthly Mass to pray for the blessing of Blessed Edmund Rice and for his canonisation will take place in Westcourt on Monday, 12th January at 7.30pm. All are welcome. Note the change of date.
Parish News on Social Media
This Parish Newsletter is available on our Web and Facebook pages. Let those away from home know about it so they can stay in touch. We now have 527 ‘likes’ on our Facebook page. Many thanks to all of you. Let’s see if we can hit 600 likes.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The members of the local conference wish to thank all those people who donated so generously to their Christmas collection which is much appreciated as without that support they simply could not do their work. Your support allowed the conference to support many families in our area who needed help during the festive season and into the New Year. The members also wish to thank business people and companies who donated, and schools who collected toys and non-perishable food items. Thank you to one and all.
The Society’s work continues into the New Year. The monthly collection for the local conference will be taken up at the second collection at all Masses next weekend. Please give a little: it will help a lot.
Taking Stock
“Taking Stock” is a free 8 week Positive Aging Course for men and women of 55 years of age and older. It covers topics like, keeping connected, mental health, physical health, assertiveness and safety.
Starting on 28th January from 11.00am to 1.00pm in St Patrick’s Parish Centre. For more information or to book a place call or text Meabh on 087 126 0979. This is an Age and Opportunity Course delivered by the HSE Health Promotion Department.
Speech and Drama
Starburst School of Speech and Drama has added a new class in St. Patrick's Parish Centre at 4.45pm on Tuesdays. Beginners welcome. Classes starting January 2015. Contact Kate 085 114 2686 for more information or to make a booking.
Little Red Riding Hood
The Watergate Theatre production of the pantomime Little Red Riding Hood begins with a matinee on Saturday, 10th January and continues until Saturday, 17th January. Tickets available from the Watergate box office on 056 776 1674 or online at watergatetheatre.com. Adults €18. Children €14. A great evening’s entertainment guaranteed.
Vocations!
There’s no denying that the clergy in Ossory are getting older by the year with the result that there are very few spring chickens left! If I’m not mistaken, there are just five Ossory priests under the age of 50 with the rest varying in age right into their 90s. What this leaves us with is a crisis soon to happen as many priests retire and vacancies in parishes unable to be filled. So, at the current rate, what the future holds for many parishes is amalgamations and closure of churches. This slide can only be averted by people on the ground. There is little use looking to overseas for priests or religious, and doctrine isn’t going to change anytime soon, therefore vocations must happen from among your family and friends.
We encourage all our faithful to pray for and promote the life of a priest or religious as a worthy and valid vocation for any young person to consider. There are people out there who right now feel this calling and a positive word from you can make all the difference. Perhaps the person needing encouragement and prayer is your son or daughter? Maybe it’s a sibling or a friend?
Those who wish to discuss a vocation to priesthood or religious life, can contact any of the priests of the parish or our Diocesan Director of Vocations, Fr. Willie Purcell. Details are on our Ossory webpage.
Clothing Collection
A used clothing collection in aid of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust will take place on Thursday morning, 15th January at the Parish Centre Car Park.
Be Informed
Copies of The Irish Catholic newspaper are available for sale at St. Patrick’s Church and St. Fiacre’s Church every week.
Copies of the Christmas edition of our diocesan magazine - Ossory Times - are available at all our church porches. Excellent value at €2.00.
Tar chugainn, a Naomhspioraid Bheannaithe; comhairligh sinn in am is i dtráth.
